AboutBill Silver Expertise Need help with vintage Hondas from the 1960s? I am an expert with 250-305cc bikes in particular and most all of the other pre-91 models, in general. I do NOT claim to have a great deal of experience on Gold Wings, Cruisers, ATC/ATVs and dirt bikes.
Experience I have owned/ridden/maintained Honda motorcycles for 35 years. I have written five books on Honda repairs and collecting. I was a service manager for two Honda shops back in the 1980s.
Organizations VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) of North America
Publications VJMC newsletter, as editor for two years and as contributing editor currently.
I have an 84 Goldwing 1200 CC in good shape but with one problem. The bike will start fine and all electrical accessories work but when the clutch is engaged and it is put in gear the bike makes an awful (grinding) noise from the right rear of the bike. I don't believe it is the clutch but rather the final drive....does this sound like the problem and if so how would I fix and what would be the approximate cost? The bike was converted a few years back to a trike because of leg issues after back sugery but all 3 wheels are in constant contact with the ground?
Missing my ride alot buds...hope you can point me in the right direction.
Fred
Answer Fred, based on your brief description and the history of the bike as a trike, I would take a look at the drive shaft universal joint, unless the sound is further back. Sometimes sounds from the final drive can be amplified or transferred along the swing arm.
Only way to start trouble shooting is to drain the final drive oil first, looking for debris and metal shavings. If none, then pull the wheels off and final drive to access the drive shaft. I think that you will probably have to pull the swing arm to get to the universal joint end of the shaft, though.
